To ask the Minister of Health, in light of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care Services by Professor Ray Jones, whether there has been any collaboration, or planned collaboration, with the Minister for Communities to look at expanding early prevention and support services for children leaving care and to enable better links with the Mental Health Strategy 2021-2031 and the Strategic Planning and Performance Group focusing on early help in community settings.

Professor Ray Jones engaged with the Department for Communities (DfC) during the Review and my Department engaged with DfC on the the public consultation on the Review recommendations.

There is ongoing collaboration between my Department and DfC. A cross-departmental plan has been developed to implement the recommendations of a September 2023 report of a joint review of jointly commissioned supported accommodation arrangements for children and young people aged 16+ to address the housing needs of care leavers and young people who are homeless.

My officials are also fully engaged in a programme of work, being led by NIHE, with Homewards NI, to address the particular vulnerabilities of young people leaving care which can make them at greater risk of homelessness than their non-care experienced peers.

HSC Trusts collaborate with NIHE in exercising duties under the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 to support young people in care as they prepare to transition to independent living; this includes an assessment of their needs including accommodation.

There are 29 Family Support Hubs across Northern Ireland providing access to early intervention services; one of which is funded by DfC. The services provided by the over 600 Hub member organisations are funded by a range of organisations including DfC, the Department of Education, the Public Health Agency and a range of other organisations. The Hubs provide a range of early supports to families including early help services to support mental health and emotional wellbeing.

In 2023, the PHA, in collaboration with the Department of Health, published a 3-year ‘Early Intervention and Prevention Plan’ and has established a cross-sectoral Steering Group to oversee implementation of the actions. This Steering Group includes representation from the DfC.